The phrase "7 wars in 5 years" commonly refers to the military interventions and conflicts involving the United States and its allies during the early 2010s, particularly in the context of the Obama administration's foreign policy. While the term itself may be somewhat ambiguous, it typically encompasses various military engagements, including:
1. **Afghanistan**: Continuing the war in Afghanistan from the previous administration, with a focus on counterterrorism and stabilization efforts.
2. **Iraq**: The withdrawal of U.S. troops was followed by the rise of ISIS, leading to renewed military involvement against the group.
3. **Libya**: In 2011, the U.S. participated in NATO-led airstrikes to support rebels against Muammar Gaddafi's regime, resulting in regime change.
4. **Syria**: The U.S. became involved in the Syrian civil war, supporting opposition groups against Bashar al-Assad and conducting airstrikes against ISIS.
5. **Yemen**: The U.S. has provided support to Saudi-led operations against Houthi rebels, including intelligence and logistical assistance.
6. **Somalia**: Continued efforts against al-Shabaab, including airstrikes and special operations.
7. **Counterterrorism Operations**: Various military operations against terrorist groups in regions such as North Africa and the Middle East, including drone strikes.
### Israel's Role and Relationship with the U.S.
Israel has maintained a strong military partnership with the U.S., receiving significant military aid and participating in joint exercises. This cooperation has included intelligence-sharing and strategic planning, particularly concerning threats from Iran and militant groups.
Israel has sought to strengthen alliances with moderate Arab states, often aligning with U.S. interests in countering Iranian influence and promoting stability in the region.
Israel has engaged in military operations against groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which align with U.S. counterterrorism objectives.
Israel's normalization agreements with several Arab countries during this period, including the Abraham Accords, reflect a broader U.S. strategy to stabilize the region by fostering cooperation between Israel and Arab states.
The U.S. under Obama emphasized a commitment to democracy and stability in the Middle East, which influenced its approach to regional conflicts, including support for certain groups in Syria and diplomatic engagement in other areas.
There have been many deaths in the Middle East since 2008, including in the Israel–Hamas war, the Iraq war, and the post-9/11 wars:
- Israel–Hamas war
The Israel–Hamas war, also known as the Gaza War, is the deadliest war for Palestinians in the history of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. As of December 17, 2024, over 45,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip, and over 107,000 have been wounded. - Iraq war
From March 2003 to October 2018, between 268,000 and 295,000 people were killed in the Iraq war, including 182,272 to 204,575 civilians. - Post-9/11 wars
At least 408,000 civilians died in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen as a direct result of the post-9/11 wars. An estimated additional 3.6–3.8 million people died indirectly, bringing the total death toll to at least 4.5–4.7 million. - Palestinian fatalities and injuries
Between 2008 and September 2023, 6,407 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza were killed, and 152,560 were injured. - U.S. drone strikes
In Yemen, between 1,378 and 1,775 people were killed in U.S. drone strikes, with between 115 and 149 of those deaths being civilians. In Libya, between 11 and 21 civilians were killed in U.S. drone strikes. In Somalia, between 34 and 121 civilians were killed in U.S. drone strikes.
The "7 wars in 5 years" concept encapsulates a period of extensive military engagement by the U.S. and its allies during the Obama administration, with Israel playing a significant role in regional dynamics and U.S. foreign policy objectives. The complexities of these conflicts and partnerships illustrate the challenges of achieving stability in the Middle East.
The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic representation of how close humanity is to catastrophic events that could end civilization. The clock's time is reset twice a year by the SASB, which is made up of scientists and other experts. The clock's time is based on whether steps have been taken to address threats like climate change and nuclear war.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Science and Security Board (SASB) reset the Doomsday Clock to 90 seconds to midnight on January 23, 2024. This is the closest the clock has ever been to midnight since it was created in 1947. The SASB's decision was based on a number of concerns, including:
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- The war in Ukraine and the risk of nuclear escalation
- The Israel-Gaza conflict
- The climate crisis
- The potential for a new nuclear arms race
- The modernization programs of countries with nuclear weapons
- The recent advances in artificial intelligence
